Basking in Basque Country

The return of the Champions League. The best club competition in the world. A new season of highs and lows, twists and turns to see who will be crowned the champions of Europe. Last season it was PSG for the first time in the clubs history and the first under the new league format. For Arsenal, they had a memorable campaign, but fell short in the semi-finals to the eventual winners. This season the dream will be to win the entire thing, but we share that ambition with every other competitor.

Arsenal started their campaign away to Athletic Bilbao who haven't tasted Champions League football for over a decade. The stage was set and The Estadio de San Mames was rocking. The players, the staff and the fans were ready for action and ready to give Arsenal a tough evening. Mikel Arteta, who hails from the Basque Country himself, knew that his team wouldn't get it all their own way and that certainly proved to be the case in the opening exchanges.

The Gunners kicked off and attempted to hold possession to allow for the crowd to simmer down, but this invited a structured Bilbao press to force them into mistakes. This in turn managed drive up decibels in the stadium. Every attack that Bilbao embarked on was met with raucous applause and Arteta's men found it tough to build any sort of attacking momentum. Despite Bilbao's early threats, they never really mustered a chance that worried David Raya. I think they absolutely could've had more, but the Arsenal back line marshaled them extremely well. Eventually the boys in blue came up with a few ideas of their own and caused more trouble in doing so. Eberechi Eze had the ball nipped off his feet as he was about to pull the trigger, he was faced with an almost empty net if he managed to get a shot off. Viktor Gyokeres was teasing and probing as well, with his best chance the result of a direct cross from Jurrien Timber. The big Swede dove in with his head, but couldn't angle his shot on target.

There was a feeling that if anyone was going to score it was going to be Gyokeres, but I think the head injury he sustained towards the end of the first half definitely affected him somewhat. Thankfully he seems okay and wasn't substituted until midway through the second half. To be honest, between Gyokeres' head injury and the moments before our first goal, nothing of note happened. There was a lot of probing, but the final ball always lacked the desired outcome. Noni Madueke certainly tried to make something happen, but kept finding Unai Simon's gloves. However, in the 71st minute, the game was flipped on its head after Gabriel Martinelli's introduction.

A clearing header from Cristhian Mosquera was helped onto Leandro Trossard by Declan Rice. The Belgian then flicked the ball over the top of the Bilbao defence for Martinelli to run onto. Once the ball was under the Brazilian's control, there was no catching him and he applied the finish. San Mames was silenced and Arsenal hearts calmed. As soon as the goal went in, Arsenal locked up shop and Athletic Club had no answer. Arteta's men just needed to see the game out, but Martinelli and Trossard had different ideas. Martinelli turned provider in this instance and returned the favour to Trossard who managed to squeeze his shot beyond Simon, with the help of a deflection. That was it, that was all that was wrote.

It certainly wasn't a game that you'd want to watch back, but it was an important win and one which Arsenal managed very well in the end. In my opinion there was some decisions that I didn't agree with. I would've liked to have seen Ethan Nwaneri instead of Mikel Merino. I think the midfield trio of Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Merino isn't dynamic enough, it's quite rigid and often static. There needs to be a bit of flair and someone who can turn quickly and that is Nwaneri. In addition to this, I think Riccardo Calafiori played much longer than he needed to. With his injury record it's always risky overloading him, especially when there's a Piero Hincapie and Myles Lewis-Skelly in reserve.

Player Ratings:

Raya - 7 - The Spaniard had more to do tonight than against Nottingham Forest, but nothing that particularly troubled him. However, I've given him a seven because everything he did was effective. He anticipated a couple of long balls over the top and remained strong when put under pressure.

Timber - 7 - Mr consistent himself. He battles hard up and down the pitch and rarely makes mistakes. He locks down that right hand side and makes it virtually impossible to create anything.

Mosquera (MOTM) - 8 - I'm going to quickly run out of superlatives for this guy if he continues in the starting line up. Yet again another dominating display and he's proving to be a perfect replacement for William Saliba.

Gabriel - 8 - Much like Mosquera, it was a commanding performance. A couple of things didn't work out for him, but his experience is essential in games like this and is just so powerful in every action. He was up against an extremely quick Inaki Williams, but dealt with him at every turn.

Calafiori - 7 - His defensive work was the best part of his game today. Like Timber on the right, Calafiori locked down the left. His attacking display wasn't as influential, but that's mainly due to the team finding it difficult to get up the pitch. I also think his link up with Eze wasn't as effective as it could've been.

Zubimendi - 7 - No goals today for him, but is just constantly involved. He always is ready to receive and alert to all kinds of danger. A master at disrupting the flow of the opposition, but a perfect metronome player for Arsenal.

Rice - 6 - His first half was less than inspiring and picked up a cheap yellow card which could've turned red on a couple of occasions. However, his second half performance was more like we're used to. Up and down the pitch like a man possessed and using his physical superiority to his benefit.

Merino - 6 - He had a couple of nice moments, but overall he lacked the intricacy needed to be an effective attacking midfielder. I wasn't sure if he was part of the midfield or attempting to play up with Gyokeres. Not a bad game, but not a helpful one.

Eze - 6 - The Champions League is a daunting prospect and for Eze I think the occasion loomed a little too large. He had some really good moments and you can tell what he's able to do before a goalscoring situation is a huge improvement on Martinelli. However, he was bit naive in certain situations and we didn't get to see his best. I do think he was too close to the touchline in order to be effective.

Madueke - 7 - I really like what I see from the Noni, but there is an issue with his final ball and it reared its ugly head a few times throughout the match. His ability to beat a man is second to none, but when he got it close to the goal he couldn't keep it away from the keeper. But, with more time I'm sure he'll do the right thing more often than not.

Gyokeres - 7 - It's becoming more and more evident after every single game that, when he has service, he's a problem for the opposition. He's determined to get on the end of everything and is running his socks off to ensure chances are falling his way. I think his teammates need to braver sometimes as he will be waiting.

Substitutes:

Trossard - 8 - Despite Gyokeres having a good game, Trossard turned the tide and provided a goal and an assist to drag over Arsenal over the line. He was tenacious and determined, an almost angry performance.

Martinelli - 8 - Much like Trossard, his impact was felt instantly. His goal and assist was a huge message to the Arsenal fans and Arteta that there's life in this boy still. His speed and directness when up against tired legs could have a real impact going forward.

Norgaard - N/A -

Hincapie - N/A -

Game one done and dusted and that's one of the away fixtures off the table. Every point is important so to get three is of extreme importance. Manchester City next and there's a real chance to make a statement. Nothing less than a win should suffice.

My team to face City

Raya

Timber Saliba Gabriel Calafiori

Zubimendi Rice

Eze

Madueke Gyokeres Trossard